Description:

Want to learn how to be an effective citizen activist? This class will look at the best strategies and tactics of progressive social movements and campaigns in the United States as well as consider case studies of movements from around the world. Attention will be given to exploring theories of social power, stages of movement mobilization, action strategies, advocacy roles, power-holder responses, and the mechanisms and levels of social movement success. The goal of the course will be to help students’ see themselves as part of a long activist tradition and reflect on how best to build powerful social movements, win the active support of key sectors of the populace, and achieve campaign objectives even in the face of power-holder opposition. The course will include 20 hours fieldwork and a group strategy-planning project designing a local campaign around a group chosen global climate stabilization objective.